1998 Ford Explorer Won't Start - Ignition System

Question: This 1998 Ford Explorer with SOHC V-6 engine and automatic trans (5 speed)90K miles, well maintained, bettered the service requirements including synthetic engine oils. Number of recalls including "Reprogramming the OBD". Four times since June I go to start up and it will not start, Turns over fine, plenty of battery power. This week (09 Sep)it took about 20 minutes of cranking, rechecking fuses, fuel shutoff checks etc etc, before it restarted. Then it runs fine until this morning, 11 Sep. I had bought the AutoXray 2000 OBD II disgnostic tool. Plugged it in, ran an initial test (key on engine off) and passed successfully. Went to start the engine to perform the key on engine running tests and it would crank but would not start. The smell of fuel is noticed at times when attempting these long cranks but none found leaking nor is it noticeable when operating normally. I did install new Boesh Platinum Plugs and wires early this year and K&N filter system. Could this be related? We live in Southern CA. desert, relativly dry climate.

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Technican: To start off I do not like Boesh plugs but that will not cause your problem. A few checks can be done that are easy and cost nothing. Do you have spark when the engine cranks but will not fire? Have you checked for injector pulse when the engine cranks but will not fire? To check the Injector pulse go to AutoZone and purchase a test noid or you can use the twinkle light from a xmas tree string.. pull one of the plugs from the injector and plug in the noid and have the engine cranked over.. if the lights twinkle.. that is good.. if not.. that is bad..let me know.. we can go from there. Al

Owner: Tried the christmas tree light as well as a 12 volt taillight lamp, coul not see either flash (daylight conditions) but as the wife cranked the engine during this test, the engine started. Note: the wire connector to one injector was still disconnected. Stopped engine, Cranked again, started again??????? What now?

Technican: Normally the xmas tree lights will work in the place of a test noid.. maybe the connections were not complete.. either way.. i was hoping to see if the injectors were receiving a signal from the computer.. your problem sounds electronic in nature and intermittent.. a tough one to troubleshoot with the car (truck) available to touch.. even tougher like this... Please go spend the 9 dollars for the test noid and the next time the truck will not start run the test.. also does the engine start.. run.. not start.. then start again after it has cooled off some??? Sorry if the ideas are a little jumbled.. just typing as the thoughts arrive. Al

Owner: Ok I will get the test noid tomorrow. No, the truck does not respond as you have discribed. Three of the four times this crank but no start has happened, the truck had sat overnight. The other occurrence was after sitting for approx 5 hours.

Technican: Ok so when the truck cranks but will not start need u to check for the pulse signal to the fuel injectors (using the noid) and also check for spark to the spark plugs. Any plug or any fuel injector will tell me what i am looking for. Standing by for your info. Al

Owner: OK, will do checks as you have discribed and get back to you.

Owner: OK, got the Noid, did the test and passed, noid light pulsed. Checked spark at plug. OK. Also checked two of the spark plug wires for resistance. One was 1.8k ohm and second one was 3.5 k, good. So where do we go from here?

Technican: Is the truck able to start and run? The reason I wanted you to check for spark and the noid test is when the truck will not start. My belief is that either the ECM is failing (which will cause the noid test to fail) or the coil is failing (which will cause the spark to be either weak or missing). But if the engine is able to start then these tests will show little or nothing. Like I said earlier.. it is hard to troubleshoot an intermittent problem.. so back to my question.. is the truck currently able to start and run??

Owner: Yes, the truck starts and runs. Two starts successfully since my last email.

Owner: Good Day, Yesterday (15 Sep)the Explorer started fine, went to work, it sat in the parking from 06:30 to 04:00 started fine then, drove home. This morning at o6:00 went to start, NO START! Does this help? This is getting frustrating

Technican: did u get a chance to run those 2 tests (noid and spark)? this will tell a bunch. Al

Owner: Yes we did the Noid test and the spark test. Both tested OK. Didn't like the looks of the Bosch sparkplugs so put new Autolites in. Like I said it ran great yesterday and this AM No Start (cranks over fine seems to have plenty of battery/crank power?

Technican: YOu did the noid and spark test this morning after the truck would not start and you had both positive indications? That leaves only one other potential thing.. your fuel pump is running intermittently.. reason i say this.. simple elimination.. you have compression.. and if you have spark and your ECM is sending signals to the fuel injectors then the truck should run.. unless you dont have fuel to the fuel rail.. the fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank and can be replaced either as a unit (recommended) or just the pump itself.. let meknow if you need more.. but i think we have nailed this down..

Owner: NO, We Did the Noid test and spark test, plus installed new plugs on Tuesday 14 Sep. After which it started and ran ok. Evening Drove the truck to work on 15 Sep. two start ups, one 0600 AM and then @1600 PM. Started fine ran good. THIS MORNNING, 16 Sep at approx 0600 hours the truck would not start. It would crank but NOT start until after several hours re-trying off and on, rechecked & tightened the grounds etc. then after a while it did start. So based on this revision what would your diagnosis be? thank you

Owner: Do we have anything else to offer as to this starting problem, please. thanks, doug

Technican: Doug, has the truck done the leaving you stranded dance again?? I am sure you realize that the engine needs 3 things to run.. fuel, spark, compression.. it may not run well but will run.. that is why i keep going back to the same questions.. if the truck will not start but has injector pulse then the computer is good.. period.. if the engine will not start and there is spark the ignition system is good period.. then we have to verify the fuel pump is operational and that involves a few relays and the fuel cutout (inside the passengers kick panel) but these items normally either work or dont.. again.. this is why I keep running back to the injector pulse and spark. I hope you understand that until the truck wont start there isnt much we can do. Please respond and let me know if anything has changed. Thanks. Al

Technican: Been a few weeks any change in the situation with the truck leaving u stranded? Still interested in hearing how it worked out.

Owner: Again and after calling a tow truck and waiting wife treid to start and after third attempt it did. Cancelled the tow and drove the truck straight to Ford Garage. They kept it over week. Nothing showed on diagnostics, fuel pressure etc all checked OK. Wanted me to pick up the truck w/no repairs made. Told them No, something was wrong and I wanted something done even if it was "best guess." They replaced the Crank Sensor, 1L2Z-6C315-BB; and two Relay, Sensor, (FOAZ-14N089-A. So far so good, knock on wood!

Technican: great to hear.. hopefully they got it right.. Thanks for using the service and in the future.

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